1.History and Clinical Application of Classic Famous Formula Danggui Sinitang
Sihong LIU ; Siqi JIA ; Lin TONG ; Li REN ; Lei ZHANG ; Lei YANG ; Yanhui KUANG ; Deqin WANG ; Bing LI ; Huamin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):53-60
Danggui Sinitang is first recorded in the Treatise on Cold Damage written by ZHANG Zhongjing in the Han dynasty. It is composed of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Asari Radix et Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Tetrapanacis Medulla, and Jujubae Fructus and serves as a classic formula for treating the syndrome of blood deficiency and cold reversal. This study systematically reviews the records of Danggui Sinitang in ancient Chinese medicine books of various dynasties and the modern clinical applications to probe into the composition, plant species, processing, dosage, decocting method, and indications of Danggui Sinitang, aiming to provide a reference for the development and clinical application of this classic formula. The review of the records showed that there were a variety of records of Danggui Sinitang with different composition, and the composition of this formula listed in the Treatise on Cold Damage has a significant impact on later generations and has been used by medical practitioners throughout history. Although the dosage of some drugs decreased during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the medical practitioners continued to use the original formula. In terms of processing, although there were slight changes in the processing of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Tetrapanacis Medulla, the original processing method was inherited. In terms of indications, Danggui Sinitang was designed to treat cold reversal due to blood deficiency and dysentery. Furthermore, it was used to treat headache, convulsive disease, infantile convulsion, and private part adduction in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Nowadays, this formula is mostly used to treat diabetes peripheral neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, Raynaud's disease and other diseases. In terms of precautions, ancient physicians believed that Danggui Sinitang should not be taken by pregnant women and should only be used for limb chills caused by blood deficiency and cold coagulation. For limb chills caused by other reasons, this formula should not be used indiscriminately. Modern research has not reported any serious adverse reactions related to this formula. Danggui Sinitang has a definite therapeutic effect. In subsequent research and development, quality control standards of Danggui Sinitang should be established while its safety is ensured, and the related preparations should be developed and applied.
2.Glutathione Detection Method Based on Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Zhi-Wen WANG ; Jian KUANG ; Ao-Kun LIU ; Ruo-Tong WEI ; Lu YU ; Chang-Lin TIAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):3034-3045
ObjectiveGlutathione (γ-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine, GSH) is the most abundant non-protein compound containing sulfhydryl (―SH) groups in cells. It serves as a source of reducing equivalents, effectively neutralizing harmful reactive substances, and playing a crucial role in maintaining cellular redox balance. Therefore, sensitive detection and accurate measurement of GSH levels in tissues are of great importance. In this work, we presents a novel method for GSH detection utilizing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. MethodsInitially, ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate acid)) solution was mixed with K2S2O8 solution and reacted in the dark for 12 to 16 h to prepare ABTS·+ solution, which was then quantified using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Subsequently, the concentration of glutathione (GSH) was determined based on the changes in the EPR signal of ABTS·+. On this basis, the optimal reaction time and temperature were explored to establish a standard equation correlating the EPR signal intensity of ABTS·+ with GSH concentration. Finally, the derived standard curve was employed to quantitatively analyze the GSH concentration in whole blood from C57BL/6J mice, and the results were compared with those reported in the literature to verify the accuracy of the method. ResultsThe experimental results demonstrate that this method has a linear detection range from50 nmol/L to 15 μmol/L for GSH, spanning two orders of magnitude, with a limit of detection (LOD) at0.50 nmol/L. The measured GSH content in mouse whole blood is (10 660±706) nmol/g Hb, which agrees with the value of (11 200±237) nmol/g Hb as previously reported. Furthermore, a similar method was developed for detection of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) at higher reaction temperature. ConclusionThis article presents a novel assay for the rapid detection of GSH using the intensity of EPR signal from ABTS·+ as indicator. This method demonstrates enhanced detection sensitivity and a broader linear range compared to conventional colorimetric methods. Furthermore, we have extended the application of this method to detect GSH content in blood samples efficiently and accurately, offering valuable information for assessing tissue redox balance, thus holding significant potentials.
3.Preparation of silk fibroin/hyaluronic acid composite hydrogel based on thiol-ene click chemistry.
Leidan CHEN ; Mingqiang ZHONG ; Jinyi CHEN ; Zhenjie LIU ; Tairong KUANG ; Tong LIU ; Feng CHEN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2023;52(3):285-295
OBJECTIVES:
To design and prepare silk fibroin/hyaluronic acid composite hydrogel.
METHODS:
The thiol modified silk fibroin and the double-bond modified hyaluronic acid were rapidly cured into gels through thiol-ene click polymerization under ultraviolet light condition. The grafting rate of modified silk fibroin and hyaluronic acid was characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy; the gel point and the internal microstructure of hydrogels were characterized by rheological test and scanning electron microscopy; the mechanical properties were characterized by compression test; the swelling rate and degradation rate were determined by mass method. The hydrogel was co-cultured with the cells, the cytotoxicity was measured by the lactate dehydrogenase method, the cell adhesion was measured by the float count method, and the cell growth and differentiation on the surface of the gel were observed by scanning electron microscope and fluorescence microscope.
RESULTS:
The functional group substitution degrees of modified silk fibroin and hyaluronic acid were 17.99% and 48.03%, respectively. The prepared silk fibroin/hyaluronic acid composite hydrogel had a gel point of 40-60 s and had a porous structure inside the gel. The compressive strength was as high as 450 kPa and it would not break after ten cycles. The water absorption capacity of the composite hydrogel was 4-10 times of its own weight. Degradation experiments showed that the hydrogel was biodegradable, and the degradation rate reached 28%-42% after 35 d. The cell biology experiments showed that the cytotoxicity of the composite gel was low, the cell adhesion was good, and the growth and differentiation of the cells on the surface of the gel were good.
CONCLUSIONS
The photocurable silk fibroin/hyaluronic acid composite hydrogel can form a gel quickly, and has excellent mechanical properties, adjustable swelling rate and degradation degree, good biocompatibility, so it has promising application prospects in biomedicine.
Fibroins/chemistry*
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Hydrogels/chemistry*
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Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry*
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Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*
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Click Chemistry
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Sulfhydryl Compounds
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Silk/chemistry*
4.The norm of the Physical Activity afterschool Questionnaire for Preschooler (P-PAQ) in urban areas of China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(9):1328-1332
Objective:
To establish the norm of the Physical Activity afterschool Questionnaire for Preschooler(P-PAQ) in urban areas of China, so as to provide a basis for graded guidance from the family perspective and to improve children s physical activity levels.
Methods:
From October 2020 to January 2021, 6 267 children aged 3-6 years old were recruited from 40 kindergartens in eight cities across six major administrative regions by stratified cluster sampling, and the P-PAQ initially developed by the researchers of this study were completed by the primary caregivers. The questionnaire was administered to collect data relating to the amount of physical activity undertaken by the preschoolers, and the norm was determined by quartiles. Data relating to parental concepts of sports and parental behavior were assessed by calculating mean scores in order to establish the norm.
Results:
Among preschoolers in urban areas, the M(P 25 ,P 75 ) of total physical activity time (min/day), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time (min/day), outdoor time (min/day) and screen time (min/day) on school days outside kindergarten and on weekends were 84 (54,120), 22 (8,40), 12 (0,24) and 18 (6,30), and 170 (115,240), 60 (30,95), 90 (35,120) and 30 (20,60), respectively. When the score of parents sports concept and behavior (total score of 40) were≥34, 29-<34, 24-<29, <24, it was defined as four levels about above medium, medium, lower medium and lower, respectively. And for two dimensions,when the score of parental sports concept were ≥19, 17-<19, 15-<17, <15,and the score of parental behaviors were ≥16, 12-<16, 8-<12, <8, it was defined as four levels about upper medium, medium, lower medium and lower, respectively.
Conclusion
The norm of extracurricular activities among preschool children in Chinese cities has good representativeness and appropriate threshold values, which could provide a valuable reference for early assessment, as well as guidance in relation to out-of-school physical activity behaviors among children aged 3-6 years old.
5.Clinical and genetic characteristics of young patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms
Mengyu ZHANG ; Mei BAO ; Dayu SHI ; Hongxia SHI ; Xiaoli LIU ; Na XU ; Minghui DUAN ; Junling ZHUANG ; Xin DU ; Ling QIN ; Wuhan HUI ; Rong LIANG ; Meifang WANG ; Ye CHEN ; Dongyun LI ; Wei YANG ; Gusheng TANG ; Weihua ZHANG ; Xia KUANG ; Wei SU ; Yanqiu HAN ; Limei CHEN ; Jihong XU ; Zhuogang LIU ; Jian HUANG ; Chunting ZHAO ; Hongyan TONG ; Jianda HU ; Chunyan CHEN ; Xiequn CHEN ; Zhijian XIAO ; Qian JIANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2023;44(3):193-201
Objectives:To investigate the clinical and genetic features of young Chinese patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) .Methods:In this cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to patients with MPN patients nationwide. The respondents were divided into 3 groups based on their age at diagnosis: young (≤40 years) , middle-aged (41-60 years) , and elderly (>60 years) . We compared the clinical and genetic characteristics of three groups of MPN patients.Results:1727 assessable questionnaires were collected. There were 453 (26.2%) young respondents with MPNs, including 274 with essential thrombocythemia (ET) , 80 with polycythemia vera (PV) , and 99 with myelofibrosis. Among the young group, 178 (39.3%) were male, and the median age was 31 (18-40) years. In comparison to middle-aged and elderly respondents, young respondents with MPN were more likely to present with a higher proportion of unmarried status (all P<0.001) , a higher education level (all P<0.001) , less comorbidity (ies) , fewer medications (all P<0.001) , and low-risk stratification (all P<0.001) . Younger respondents experienced headache (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.007; MF, P=0.001) at diagnosis, had splenomegaly at diagnosis (PV, P<0.001) , and survey (ET, P=0.052; PV, P=0.063) . Younger respondents had fewer thrombotic events at diagnosis (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.011) and during the survey (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.003) . JAK2 mutations were found in fewer young people (ET, P<0.001; PV, P<0.001; MF, P=0.013) ; however, CALR mutations were found in more young people (ET, P<0.001; MF, P=0.015) . Furthermore, mutations in non-driver genes (ET, P=0.042; PV, P=0.043; MF, P=0.004) and high-molecular risk mutations (ET, P=0.024; PV, P=0.023; MF, P=0.001) were found in fewer young respondents. Conclusion:Compared with middle-aged and elderly patients, young patients with MPN had unique clinical and genetic characteristics.
6.Jujuboside A ameliorates tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic mice through down-regulating the YY1/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.
Yang-Yang LIU ; Lin LI ; Bei JI ; Shi-Long HAO ; Xiao-Feng KUANG ; Xin-Yun CAO ; Jia-Yu YUAN ; Zhen-Zhou JIANG ; Si-Tong QIAN ; Chu-Jing WEI ; Jing XU ; Xiao-Xing YIN ; Qian LU ; Ting-Ting YANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2022;20(9):656-668
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus, which is characterized in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF). The current study was designed to investigate the protective effect of Jujuboside A (Ju A) on TIF in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) mice, and explore its underlying anti-fibrosis mechanism. A mouse T2DM model was established using high fat diet (HFD) feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Then, diabetic mice were treated with Ju A (10, 20 and 40 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for 12 weeks. Results showed that administration of Ju A not only down-regulated fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, but also improved hyperlipidemia and renal function in diabetic mice. Moreover, the reduced ECM accumulation was observed in the renal cortex of Ju A treated diabetic mice, while the TIF progression was also attenuated by Ju A through blocking the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs). Further mechanism studies showed that Ju A treatment effectively down-regulated the protein expression and subsequent nuclear translocation of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) in the renal cortex of diabetic mice, and reduced the levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the serum and renal cortex of Ju A treated mice. According to invitro studies, the up-regulated YY1/TGF-β1 signaling pathway was restored by Ju A in high glucose (HG) cultured HK-2 cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that Ju A can ameliorate the TIF of DN through down-regulating the YY1/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.
Animals
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Blood Glucose
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Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*
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Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism*
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Fibrosis
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Mice
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Saponins
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Signal Transduction
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Streptozocin
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Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*
7.Clinical phenotype analysis of 6 cases of TTC21B gene related nephronophthisis.
Jing ZHANG ; Lei SUN ; Xin Yu KUANG ; Yu Lin KANG ; Sheng HAO ; Dan FENG ; Xiao Ling NIU ; Wen Yan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2022;60(8):820-824
Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of 6 children with TTC21B-related nephronophthisis to provide reference for early clinical diagnosis. Methods: The general condition, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and other clinical data of 6 children from 4 families diagnosed with nephronophthisis by genetic testing in Shanghai Children's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 6 children (3 males and 3 females) developed proteinuria and progressive renal dysfunction in early infancy. The onset age of proteinuria was 18 (6, 25) months. The age at the onset of renal impairment was 22 (10, 36) months. All 6 children progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) within 10 (4, 65) months of onset. Five children had hypertension, 3 children with abnormal liver function, 2 children with visceral translocation and 1 child with growth retardation. The genetic results suggested that all children carried variations TTC21B gene p.C518R. Conclusions: Children with TTC21B gene p.C518R nephronophthisis had proteinuria and progressed to ESRD at the early stage of life. These nephronophthisis patients commonly presented with liver and renal dysfunction.
China
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Female
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Humans
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Kidney Diseases, Cystic/genetics*
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Kidney Failure, Chronic/genetics*
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Male
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Phenotype
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Proteinuria/genetics*
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Retrospective Studies
8.Biejiajian Wan Regulates Polarization of Macrophages via HIF-1α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Yang LIU ; Chunyu HE ; Tong LI ; Weiguang CHEN ; Yanhao MA ; Ying KUANG ; Songqi HE ; Haitao SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(19):9-16
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Biejiajian Wan on liver fibrosis by regulating the polarization of macrophages. MethodRaw264.7 cells were cultured in vitro by serum pharmacological method, and the hypoxia model of RAW264.7 cells was established by stimulating RAW264.7 cells with cobalt chloride (CoCl2). The cells were randomly divided into blank group, CoCl2 hypoxia model group (200 mmol·L-1), Biejiajian Wan low-dose group (200 mmol·L-1+0.55 g·kg-1 Fuzheng Quyu capsules), medium-dose group (200 mmol·L-1+1.1 g·kg-1 Biejiajian Wan), and high-dose group (200 mmol·L-1+2.2 g·kg-1 Biejiajian Wan) and Fuzheng Quyu capsule group (200 mmol·L-1+0.56 g·kg-1 Biejiajian Wan). Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and the gene expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in macrophages was detected by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The expression of macrophage polarization-related protein and HIF-1α/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related protein was tested by Western blot, and the distribution and expression of NF-κB signaling pathway-related protein and HIF-1α were determined by cell immunofluorescence. ResultCompared with the conditions in the blank group, the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells was inhibited after CoCl2 stimulation for 24 hours (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of HIF-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the model group were increased (P<0.05), the protein expression of HIF-1α and M1 macrophage phenotypic proteins IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was boosted while that of M2 macrophage phenotypic protein interleukin-10 (IL-10) was reduced (P<0.05), the protein expression of NF-κB p65, phosphorylation (p)-NF-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB inhibits protein kinase α/β (p-IKKα/β) and phosphorylated NF-κB inhibits protein α (p-IκBα) was elevated (P<0.05), the nuclear expression of HIF-1α and NF-κB p65 was promoted. Compared with the conditions in the model group, after 24 hours of treatment with corresponding drug-containing serum, each treatment group promoted the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells (P<0.05), the mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 in macrophages were reduced (P<0.05), the protein expression of HIF-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α was decreased, while that of CD163 and IL-10 was increased (P<0.05), the protein expression of NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, p-IKKα/β and p-IκBα was lowered (P<0.05), the nuclear expression of HIF-1α and NF-κB p65 was inhibited. ConclusionBiejiajian Wan could modulate the polarization of macrophages, attenuate the injury of macrophage-associated inflammatory response under hypoxia, and thus delay the progression of liver fibrosis, which might be related to its regulation of HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway.
9.Views on Key Technical Problems in Research and Development of Famous Classical Formulas
Zhi-min WANG ; Ju-yan LIU ; De-qin WANG ; Chun LI ; Li-hua YAN ; Xiao-qian LIU ; Wei-hong FENG ; Hui-min GAO ; Yan TONG ; Jing-jing ZHU ; Yan-hui KUANG ; Liang-mian CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(1):212-217
In this paper, the key technical problems in the research and development of famous classical formulas are analyzed. Firstly, the puzzled problem for a long-time, which is conversion relationship from medicinal metrology of Han dynasty (HD) to that of modern (gram,g), is comprehensively expounded that one Liang (两) of HD=3 g is more appropriate. Secondly, the model and principles of quality consistency evaluation are given for the transformation from the quality of authoritative basic sample prepared by casserole (ABS-C) to the quality consistency in Laboratory process, pilot-scale process and industrial production. The consistency evaluation model is ξABS-X=K1(Q1ABS-X/Q1ABS-C)+K2(Q2ABS-X/Q2ABS-C)+……+Ki(QiABS-X/QiABS-C)=∑Ki(QiABS-X/QiABS-C)(i=1,2,3……n). In the formula, ABS-X means laboratory reference sample ABS-C (ABS-L), pilot-scale ABS-C (ABS-mP) or industrial production ABS-C (ABS-P), ξABS-X means the quality consistency rate or similarity degree of ABS-L, ABS-mP and ABS-P processes with ABS-C, Ki means the weight of each quality evaluation index (i), QiABS-X is the data of i in ABS-L, ABS-mP, ABS-P samples, and QiABS-C is the data (or mean) of i in ABS-C sample. Thirdly, in order to control the quality of the herbal medicines whose active ingredients were unknown, their chemical constituents should be studied deeply, and if necessary, the bioassay research should be carried out according to the main efficacy or indication of famous classical formulas. Finally, for the special processing of some herbal medicines, it is difficult to formulate the processing method, technology and standard of prepared slices. It is suggested that the scientific connotation and historical evolution of the special processing method should be thoroughly sorted out, and its technological characteristics are summarized, the modern processing technology and production processes are simulated, and then the corresponding processing methods and quality standards are formulated.
10.The concentration of heavy metals in PM2.5 and its ecological risk assessment in an industrial zone of Shanghai
Yuanyuan JIN ; Xiaomei ZHANG ; Hong CHEN ; Huijun ZHAO ; Yiwen LU ; Yuetian SHEN ; Xingya KUANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2022;34(3):252-255
Objective To study the composition and concentration of atmospheric particulate pollutants in four seasons in the industrial and clean living areas, and to provide a scientific basis for the strategy of controlling industrial pollution and atmospheric environment. Methods An industrial area dominated by the automobile industry in Shanghai and a relatively clean living area were selected. Samples were collected simultaneously in both areas and continuously for 7 days in the middle of each season. The composition and concentration of PM2.5 were determined, and the ecological risk of heavy metals in PM2.5 was evaluated by the potential ecological risk index method. Results We found PM2.5 concentration was associated with seasonal changes. The PM2.5 concentration in living areas was the highest in winter, followed by spring, and the lowest in summer. The PM2.5 concentration in industrial areas was the highest in spring, followed by winter, and the lowest in summer. The heavy metals in PM2.5 were the same, including Al, Cr, Mn, Ni, As, Cd, Hg and Pb. The content of Cr, Cd and Pb in PM2.5 in the industrial area is significantly higher than that in the living area. The potential ecological hazard coefficient of PM2.5 heavy metal Cd in the industrial zone was the highest, up to 189.47, and it was the main component of the total potential ecological hazard index of heavy metals. According to the total potential risk grade of heavy metals, the heavy metal Cd in the industrial area had different degrees of ecological harm with seasonal changes. The ecological harm degree of heavy metal Cd was the highest in winter, high in spring and autumn, and low in summer. Conclusion Although the concentration of PM2.5 in the industrial area is not higher than that in the living area, the content of Cr, Cd and Pb in the PM2.5 in the industrial area is significantly higher than that in the living area. The concentration of PM2.5 in the industrial area is mainly related to seasons, industrial production and human factors. The potential ecological harm coefficient of heavy metal Cd in PM2.5 is the highest in comparison with other heavy metals such as Cr, Hg and Pb, and it is the main component of the total potential ecological harm index ofheavy metals.


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